Goderich council has approved the tender results for the Downtown Revitalization Project.
The major infrastructure replacement on Courthouse Square will be going to Lavis Contracting.
Representatives of consulting firm BM Ross told council that the Lavis bid not only came in at the lowest tender, but it scored highest in their evaluation process.
Dale Erb, President of BM Ross, said it was right in the range they expected.
"As of the low bid that was received on April 4, we're floating somewhere around $9 million was the price provided, plus streetlighting which is going to be purchased directly by the town, which takes us up to around $9.4 million," he said."So happily enough, right in the ballpark we thought it was going to be."
The Town had to re-tender the project in early March after objections were made to the initial prequalification process.
The Lavis bid came in at $10.14 million, including HST.
The next step in the process will be holding a Construction Open House on April 30, with two sessions running that date.
Director of Community Services Sean Thomas told council that the location for the Open House hasn't been finalized, as the level of interest could mean it can't be done at Town Hall.
"I have reached out to the Legion to host it there, I would expect that there could be a larger gathering of folks than maybe this space could accommodate," he said.
The details of the Open House will be shared when finalized.
Council also heard that because Lavis would have a project manager on site for much of the time, the town could reduce the time needed to bring on a Construction Liaison to just a few days a week.
Thomas said a liaison was recommended by other towns that have completed similar infrastructure projects in recent years, like Kincardine and Bayfield.
The cost of the liaison would be around $75,000 for the 18-month project.
Mayor Trevor Bazinet said it was key that people continue to support businesses during the project.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again: you don't see Amazon on the back of hockey jerseys. You see our local businesses... you see them donating to the Kinsmen auction," he said. "As a community, no matter if there's a big hole dug up there, you still have a sidewalk that's going to be safe for you can get into those businesses and let's do our part to support them just like we did after the tornado and during COVID-19. That needs to be our focus as a community."
Lavis indicated they'll begin construction shortly after the April 30 open house.
